Recent changes to utility rebates and tax incentives make now a great time for Habitat homeowners to explore going solar. As of January 1, 2024, ALL Habitat homeowners are eligible for Xcel Energy’s Solar Rewards Program. This program provides a significant up-front incentive for installing solar panels PLUS a 10-year annual production incentive.
Continue your journey with Twin Cities Habitat as a homeowner through our new Volunteer and Learn program! Learn how to maintain your home, reach your next financial goal, volunteer on site and gain new skills, create your own projects, participate in exclusive events, and more. The best part? Connect with homeowners just like you! Check out some upcoming FREE opportunities to Volunteer and Learn below.
Blooms & Beyond: Spring Yard Prep Workshop Thursday, April 11, 2024 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Join us at Minneapolis ReStore to kickstart your spring gardening journey! Get expert tips on preparing your garden for flowers and vegetables - dinner will be provided. Register now!
Minnesota Tool Library Tours Tuesday & Wednesday
May 8 & 9, 2024
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Tour the MN Tool Library locations in Minneapolis or St. Paul. Learn how to use common tools, and learn about memberships and classes for homeowners. Register now!
Join us on Thursday, April 18, at the Capitol in St. Paul as we advocate for affordable housing measures by connecting with each other and meeting with legislators. Habitat on the Hill is FREE to attend. Learn more and register >>
Habitat's premier fundraising gala of the year is back Saturday, April 27, at The Depot - Minneapolis! Experience the party that's a little less formal and a lot more fun. Learn more and get tickets >>
Join us for a Spring Home Celebration on Saturday, May 18, at the Harrison Recreation Center in Minneapolis. This event is family friendly and FREE to attend! Learn more and register>>
Monthly Maintenance
March and April are wonderful months for spring cleaning and getting your yard ready for the warmer weather!
Spring Cleaning Checklist
Deep clean your house – Who doesn’t love a good spring clean? Turn on your favorite music and clear out clutter that has built up over the winter.
Clean your gutters – Gutters can fill with with dirt, fall leaves, and other debris that can cause flooding. This water can back up into your roof and cause rot and leaks, or it can seep into your foundation and cause flooding. Safety is key for this project. Make sure to have the proper size ladder, and if you are not comfortable climbing it, enlist help. Gutter Cleaning Video
Check water flow from downspouts – After your gutters are clean, pour water through and make sure the water is running away from your home instead of pooling around the foundation. Pooled water can leak into your home’s foundation. Downspout Water Flow Video
Test your sump pump – Springtime is when snow starts to melt and flooding becomes a higher risk than any other time of the year. It’s better to test and make sure your sump pump is working than to deal with the aftermath. Sump Pump Video
Air conditioner summer prep – If you have an air conditioner, follow the spring maintenance guide to make sure it is ready when the air heats up. Clean an Air Conditioner Video
Air exchanger – If you have an air exchanger, change the settings to standby for spring, summer, and fall. This video details how air exchangers work and some simple maintenance. Be sure to look at your manual for details specific to your unit. Air Exchanger Video
Money Minute
April is National Financial Literacy Month! Take this time to pause and make a plan to deepen your understanding of personal finance and ways to stretch your dollars further.
Just getting started?
Be sure to complete your taxes! Contact a VITA site for assistance if needed.
Check out these 3 quick tips for building your budget from CNBC’s Budgetnista: Video from Budgetnista
Create your will – Habitat offers a free will resource for homeowners to help you get started.
Personal finance remains the number one topic of arguments within a marriage. It also ranks high on the list of skills parents want to teach their children. Increased financial literacy leads to more informed decision-making and empowers people to reach their financial goals.
Partner Spotlight
Money Canvas™ is Thrivent’s free one-on-one coaching program that helps you see your money in a new way and build better spending and saving habits. Over the course of three virtual coaching sessions, your dedicated coach will lead you through friendly conversations and share eye-opening visuals to reflect on where your money goes and what patterns you'd like to change. Leave with a clear action plan and bite-sized steps to take control of your money.
Share Your Story With the Habitat Community
Every Habitat homeowner has a valuable story to share. Publicly sharing your homeownership experience inspires our community, provides awareness of homeownership, and helps more families buy homes. There are many ways to share your story. If interested, please email Jenny Sanford: jenny.sanford@tchabitat.org.
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